Office Building, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

Designed as a centerpiece for a “new” town center, this office building helps establish a sense of history and identity for the town. The clock tower, careful massing, and choice of brick with stone accents, all serve to reference, but not to copy, 1800s and early 1900s civic American architecture. Although the proposed building at 15,000 square feet, was 30% larger than a previously rejected scheme by a different architect, the design was well received by the town. In fact, it was used as a model for the new planning design guidelines written by A. Nelessen Associates of Princeton, NJ.

An innovative entry lobby and fire-stair layout received special review and approval by BOCA (Building Officials Code Administrators) officials at the National Level. This design allowed the first and second floor street entries to open into a common three story elevator and stair hall. This grand entry hall increased the rental value of the third floor while also increasing the efficiency of the overall building design by reducing hallway floor area.